Duration: 3 days, 2 nights | Total Driving: ~550 km | Total Walking: ~8 km

Max Elevation: 2,867m (Abano Pass) | Difficulty: Easy (no hiking required) | Best For: All fitness levels

Tour Highlights

• Cross Abano Pass (2,867m) – one of the world’s most dramatic mountain roads
• Explore three of Tusheti’s four historic valleys: Chagma, Pirikiti, and Gometsari
• Visit Keselo Castle complex – the iconic fortress towers above Upper Omalo
• Walk to Pichekhi Castles in Diklo – the dramatic border fortress facing Dagestan
• Discover Dartlo – perhaps Georgia’s most photogenic medieval village
• Visit Alaverdi Cathedral – the 11th-century masterpiece of Georgian architecture
• See the “Pearl of Gometsari” – the picturesque village of Dochu
• Explore abandoned tower villages: Kvavlo, Chesho, Parsma, Girevi
• Meet Tushetian shepherds and taste authentic local cheese
• Stay in traditional guesthouses with home-cooked mountain cuisine

Tusheti sits in the northeastern corner of Georgia, separated from the rest of the country by the Greater Caucasus ridge. The region borders the Russian republics of Chechnya and Dagestan – though the only crossing points have been closed for decades. The sole access is over Abano Pass, a 72-kilometer unpaved mountain road that’s considered one of the most dangerous – and most spectacular – in the world.

A jeep tour is the most comprehensive way to experience Tusheti. While hikers and horse riders can explore specific valleys in depth, only a 4×4 vehicle can cover the full range of the region’s attractions in three days: from the Gometsari valley’s green meadows to the dramatic tower villages of Pirikiti, from the border fortresses near Dagestan to the museum-quality preserved architecture of Dartlo.

The Four Communities of Tusheti

Historically, Tusheti comprised four distinct mountain communities, each with its own valley and character. The Tsova lived in the western gorge (not visited on this tour), the Gometsari along the Tushetis Alazani River, the Pirikiti along the Pirikitis Alazani, and the Chaghma near where the two rivers meet. This three-day tour covers three of these four communities, giving you a comprehensive picture of Tushetian life and architecture.

A Living Museum

Tusheti’s isolation has preserved something remarkable. The stone defense towers – some dating back centuries – still stand in villages where only a handful of elderly residents spend the summers. The shepherds still practice transhumance, moving their flocks between lowland winter pastures and high summer meadows. The food is still prepared the traditional way: khinkali with mutton (pork is strictly forbidden here), fresh sheep cheese, bread baked in tone ovens.

Perfect for Non-Hikers

Unlike trekking tours, a jeep tour lets you experience Tusheti’s dramatic landscapes and medieval villages without requiring significant physical fitness. Short walks of 1-4 kilometers bring you to the most impressive viewpoints and historic sites, but the jeep does the hard work of navigating the mountain roads.

Driving: 230 km | Duration: ~8 hours | Walking: 2 km | Elevation: 280m → 2,867m | Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Guesthouse in Upper Omalo

We depart Tbilisi early (7:00 AM), heading northeast through the Kakheti wine region. Our first stop is Alaverdi Monastery, one of Georgia’s most important religious sites and architectural masterpieces. This 11th-century cathedral – over 50 meters tall – was the tallest building in Georgia for centuries. The monastery still functions today, and monks produce wine using traditional qvevri methods in the same cellars their predecessors used a thousand years ago.

After a lunch break in the lowlands, the adventure truly begins: the 72-kilometer drive over Abano Pass. At 2,867 meters, this is the highest drivable pass in the Caucasus. The unpaved road clings to cliffsides, crosses rushing streams, and offers views that make photographers weep with joy – and occasionally make passengers grip their seats. Our experienced drivers know every curve of this legendary road.

We arrive in Upper Omalo around 3:00 PM. After settling into the guesthouse and a short rest, we drive to the village of Dochu in the Gometsari gorge – known locally as the “pearl of Gometsari” for its picturesque setting and well-preserved traditional architecture. A short walk through the village reveals traditional houses, old towers, and views across the surrounding mountains.

Return to Upper Omalo for a traditional Tushetian dinner: expect fresh bread, grilled meat, local cheese, and perhaps khinkali (dumplings) filled with mutton – a Tusheti specialty.

Driving: 70 km | Duration: ~4 hours driving + 3 hours exploring | Walking: 4 km | Elevation: 1,700m – 2,100m | Meals: Full board | Overnight: Guesthouse in Upper Omalo

Today we explore the Pirikiti Valley – the most remote and dramatic of Tusheti’s four historic communities. The valley stretches northeast toward the Russian border, and its villages contain some of the finest examples of traditional Tushetian architecture anywhere.

First stop is Dartlo, widely considered the most beautiful village in Tusheti (and perhaps in all of Georgia). The stone towers here have been carefully preserved, and the village retains an almost museum-quality atmosphere – yet it’s still alive, with a handful of families returning each summer. Walking through Dartlo’s narrow lanes, between towers that have stood for centuries, is like stepping into the medieval past.

From Dartlo, we continue deeper into the valley: Dano, Kvavlo, Chesho, Parsma, and finally Girevi near the valley’s end. Each village has its own character – some inhabited, some abandoned, all featuring the distinctive architecture that makes Tusheti unique. The road itself is an adventure, crossing streams and traversing slopes that seem impossible for vehicles.

Along the way, we stop to explore on foot. The 4 kilometers of walking are spread across multiple villages, allowing plenty of time to photograph towers, peer into abandoned houses, and absorb the atmosphere of these remarkable settlements. If we encounter shepherds (which is likely), expect an invitation for tea or cheese – Tushetian hospitality is legendary.

We return to Upper Omalo by late afternoon for another traditional dinner.

Driving: 250 km | Duration: ~8 hours total | Walking: 2 km | Elevation: 2,867m → 280m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Our final morning in Tusheti begins with a walk up to Keselo Castle, the iconic fortress complex that dominates the ridge above Upper Omalo. The towers here – some of the best preserved in Tusheti – have become the region’s unofficial symbol, photographed against mountain backdrops on countless postcards and travel blogs. The view from the top spans the entire Omalo valley.

Descending to Lower Omalo (Kvemo Omalo), we visit the Tusheti ethnographic museum, housed in a traditional building. The small but excellent collection includes traditional clothing, household items, weapons, and artifacts that illustrate centuries of mountain life. It’s the perfect context for everything you’ve seen over the past two days.

From Lower Omalo, we drive to the Chagma valley’s border villages: first Shenako with its 19th-century church featuring surviving frescoes, then Diklo perched dramatically on a ridge facing Dagestan. Here we walk to Pichekhi Castles, the fortress complex that once guarded Tusheti’s eastern border. Standing at these walls, looking toward the Russian mountains, you understand why these towers were necessary – and why they stood so long.

Then begins the long descent: back over Abano Pass (equally dramatic going down), through the Kakheti lowlands, and on to Tbilisi. We stop for lunch along the way. Arrival in Tbilisi is typically late afternoon or early evening – end of a memorable journey through one of Europe’s last truly remote mountain regions.

The Best-Selling Short Tusheti Experience

This 3-day jeep tour is consistently our most popular way to experience Tusheti – and for good reason. It covers three of the region’s four historic valleys, visits dozens of villages and fortress sites, and requires no special physical fitness. The dramatic drive over Abano Pass is itself a highlight, and the contrast between medieval tower villages and 21st-century comfort (you’ll be back in Tbilisi by evening on Day 3) makes this accessible adventure tourism at its best.

Whether you’re short on time, not inclined toward strenuous hiking, or simply want a comprehensive overview before deciding whether to return for a longer stay, this tour delivers the essential Tusheti experience in a compact three days.

Ready to explore Georgia’s most remote region? Contact us to check availability.